Hello Folks:

I'm at the courthouse as part of a "jury pool" waiting to be called for a case.  At the moment, I am on one of a very few internet pc's so I can browse the site.  For the next two weeks, I'll be learning about our county's method of justice.

Wish me luck,

Ray

Repeat after me:

"The cops arrested him. He must be guilty."

You'll be home in time for lunch.

Good luck Ray!!!

hugs,
:)mel

It'll most likely involve a lot of sitting around, waiting--and nothing else.  Nevertheless, it's a good thing to do.  I firmly believe that we have a duty as citizens to fulfill when we are called for jury duty.

I've been called for jury duty three times.  Was interviewed during the selection process the first two times, once for a sexual battery case, and once for an aggravated DUI.  

I seem to get excused right away, though.   Peremptory challenges...  Defense attorneys don't seem to like the way I smell or something.   :-/

Best,

George    

Wow, jury duty for your county is 2 weeks?  

I just did jury duty a month ago and it is only 1 week.  Although I had to keep my entire week open, I only had to go in on day 3 and I was gone in 2 hours.  

2 weeks seems like a lot to ask.  Do you live in a small county?

B$, WTF??

I was sent a postcard for federal grand jury duty about a year ago.  Had to keep a week open.  Never had to go in (got lucky), only had to call a tele# at a specified time to see if I was going to be needed.

Beth

My jury duty was a month. It was a real pain because I had to leave lesson plans and substitutes were hired. I would show and not have to serve and be back by 10:30. I only sat on one case and it was so stupid I thught I was back in class with the arguements some of my students have. Have fun!

Charlotte

Melissa wrote on Aug 11^th, 2008 at 11:49am:

B$, WTF??

Color me stupid, but I don't get it.

let's see now -- 12 "honest" citizens doing their duty - sitting in judgement of their "peers".

Tell me sir/madam, are you predgice against anything.   OF COURSE NOT!

Can you make an unbiased decision against this defendent: OF COURSE I CAN!

Do you think the defendent is guilty:  OF COURSE HE IS!

I rest my case.

Hugs BD

I've been called twice in two different counties.  The first time I spent a day waiting and they said I didn't have to come back any more.

The second time in my present county I was ready to go (actually looking forward to it).  I was to go in on Wednesday and then Brew was hospitalized with the beast for DHE treatments on Tuesday.  My father was hospitalized the following day . . . .

I called the emergency juror's line (crying and blubbering cuz I was vastly overwhelmed) and stated I needed to be excused and I would serve any time they wanted, but just not that week . . . .   They let me off with a thanks for calling and I haven't heard from them since (over 2 years now).

My neighbor got sequestered on a jury in a different area of the state (they picked the jury from a different area due to the media coverage in that area).  She was sequestered for a week on a very difficult case - she had nightmares for a long time.  Two guys sexually assaulted a woman and then set her on fire to cover their tracks.  She lived and testified.  They are away for life.

A nice civil suit would suffice for me.

I am praying for you Ray Ray!!

Good luck!

Tess

Hello:

We're in a big county with about 1,000,000+ population.  The docket is the busiest in the state.  I'm in the jury selection for a criminal trial, but of course I can't talk about any of it until it is resolved.

Ray

Melissa wrote on Aug 11^th, 2008 at 11:49am:

B$, WTF??

I'm sorry, Mel, what?

Good luck and remember that it's the death penalty for parking tickets! START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGESTART PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Seriously, I hope you can have a good case and/or good time.

Charlie

BMoneeTheMoneeMan wrote on Aug 11^th, 2008 at 6:00pm:

Melissa wrote on Aug 11th, 2008 at 11:49am: B$, WTF?? I'm sorry, Mel, what?

Nevermind.  I thought you wrote country, not county.  Thought you were being smart or something, lol.

Here in Forsyth COUNTY, NC when we get a jury duty notice, we call a number the day before we are scheduled to report. Sometimes you have to go to the court house, sometimes you are excused via the prerecorded message. Even if you have to report, if you are not selected for a trial, that one day is it for 2 years.

Of course all the above doesn't apply if you are called for Grand Jury duty......that's one week a month for a year.

B

George wrote on Aug 11^th, 2008 at 11:23am:

I seem to get excused right away, though.   Peremptory challenges...  Defense attorneys don't seem to like the way I smell or something.   :-/

Me too, waited three days first.  Got questioned, when his chance came the defense attorney straightway pointed me off the jury.  

i did jury duty once. It was a federal case in our states capitol. trial lasted 9 days and we were sequestered for two days after the trial. It was one of the greatest most awesome experiences of my life!!!!!!! Being a federal trial, we were treated like kings and queens. The best food, the best hotels. It was great. Now,,,,, here is the kicker,,,, I was 22 and single at the time. This was before the days of Nazi like security, so,,,, being young, and,, there being another young "person" on the jury also,,, I had the time of my life!!!!  It was basically one big long party! Now,,, If I had to do that today,, being 42, married with two teenage boys,,,, TOTALLY diffeerent story. So,,, i guess it all depends where its at, how old you are, what your personal life is like,, lots of factors. But I am sure glad i did it!!     good luck, hope it works out the way you want it.    Tuck

Been living in Seattle for the last 26 yrs...hmmm...same amount of time I've had CH. Coincidence? Oh it's gotta be, CAN'T be the "skinny gray rain", can it?, NAW...

Anyway, for about 16 yrs I NEVER got called for jury duty. Was starting to wonder "what's wrong with me?"  Then, got called TWICE a yr for the next 6. Started wondering, WTF?

My company never wanted to let me go, wrote a letter and got me off every time. I was pissed. THIS is a right and a duty of a citizen. I was more than willing. Finally, they said OK and I went.

It was a local court, some type of robbery charge. I was prepared. Actually, the only one of the group who brought reading material (newspaper and a paperback). Hey, I researched what was gonna happen. Must admit to a little smug satisfaction in their ultimate boredom with nothing to do and NOTHING to read. I read each section of the paper verrrrrry slowly, then would offer it to anyone interested.
Near riot as folks climbed over each other to get it. (did I say smug, oh yes, I did, well, I was, c/mon folks, be prepared-if you was a clusterhead you'd understand that...).

We iced for 6 hrs. Didn't even get seated. Judge called us in, thanked us for our "service", and dismissed us because a plea baragain had been reached. Sheesh, they coulda done THAT hours ago...

The only chance I've had, looking forward to another...

Best,

Jon

I have a friend who I know from when I lived out in Colorado for 6 years.

He was summoned to appear for jury duty and in the interview he said he hated everyone from black people to bikers. He used a different word for black people of course.

My friend was promptly sent home and never called to jury duty again.

Two days later the news announced the jury selection was done in a trial for a guy that killed a hells angel. After a fight in their hangout in Pueblo Colorado this guy went home to retrieve a rifle. Then he returned to the biker hangout bar and killed the hells angel in the parking lot as he left the bar.

Needless to say my friend was glad to be out of that squeeze.

Good luck, Ray! :)

Sanna

I have recieved 4 letters for jury duty first time I went to court house sat for hours and was let go cause of the plea that occured. Last 3 times I called # on letter told them about my codition and meds taken and was excused all 3 times. Wifey had jury duty 1 time and was there 1 week. Terry

I've received the "summons" for jury duty a few times over the years, but called the pre-recorded message and only had to show up twice.  The first time, sat for most of the day then dismissed due to plea bargain.

The second time actually went to trial.  My boss said, in no uncertain terms - get out of it!  Well, they spent hours questioning potential jurors, one after the other.  And just about every one of them made some lame excuse as to why they couldn't serve.  The attorneys and the judge were getting real pi$$ed.  They had 12 jurors seated and needed two alternates, when they called this lady up.  The judge asked if there was any reason she couldn't serve.  Her reply was "I just don't want to".  She was held in contempt of court and escorted from the courthouse to the jail - in cuffs.  

Guess who's name got called next?   ::)

I served a week on a 1st degree murder charge against a drug dealer.  Dealer told one of his young "helpers" to shoot a buyer waiting in his car for some stuff (according to Junior - the helper).  Junior shoots the guy.  The Dealer says "I never told him to do that.  He did it on his own".  The prosecutor is charging the dealer - not Junior with 1st degree.  Hmmm.  As much as the jury wanted to put Dealer away,  they found him not guilty.  Had the prosecutor allowed a decision of 2nd degree - Dealer would be in jail.

As an alternate, I had no vote - RATS!

But, as mad as my boss was, I loved it.  It was one of the most interesting things I've ever done.

Sandy

Update:

I was rejected.  The case involved the rape of an 8 year old child.  The testimony would have been heart rending for me.  I'm back in the "jury pool" waiting to be called as a potential juror.

Oh, no reason given to be rejected....

Ray

Hello Folks:

In the spirt of blogging...

I did not get called up to sit on a jury yesterday, so totally bored out of my brain during the day.  I get to go in again today, and being so late in the week, I have to wonder what chance I have of doing something useful today or tomorrow.  We'll see!

Have a great day!

Ray   [smiley=hammer.gif]

I have not been called to be selected on another jury.  Thursday afternoon I was told that I didn't need to come in on Friday, so I have the day off.  Back to the jury room Monday morning.

Wishing you all the best,

Ray

I can't believe you were on a laptop... they took my cell phone from me the last time I did jurty duty... and I just got notice that I have to do it again soon... Whats the deal with jury duty... how much time is there supposed to be in between?

good luck ray... love ya buddy...

ree

Ree wrote on Aug 15^th, 2008 at 9:22pm:

I can't believe you were on a laptop... they took my cell phone from me the last time I did jurty duty.

Yeah, that dont happen here......you get your shit taken away and sit!

If you dont have a book or magazine your looking at idiots that didnt have a book or magazine......LMAO  ;D

You have the special court, Ray.  ;)

Ray wrote on Aug 12^th, 2008 at 11:45am:

Update: I was rejected.  The case involved the rape of an 8 year old child.  The testimony would have been heart rending for me.  I'm back in the "jury pool" waiting to be called as a potential juror. Oh, no reason given to be rejected.... Ray

I could sit on a case like that only if the death penalty was an option.

Hello Clusterville:

Another day for jury duty.  Was called up as a potential juror for a civil case, and they "excused" me again.  I am 2 for 2!

Wishing you all well,

Ray

Well, now it's my turn.  I got notice today 8/18, that I am to call for jury duty Tues. 9/2.  Not much time between notice and attendence, eh?

I have the option to go on line (or call) (or write) and select another date in incriments of 30-60, 60-90, 90-120 or 120-180 days in the future.  That's the first time I've seen this choice.

Ree wrote on Aug 15^th, 2008 at 9:22pm:

Whats the deal with jury duty... how much time is there supposed to be in between?

Dont ask me, Cutie.......I will be 46 in a couple weeks and I have only been called once in my life.....LOL  ;D

Watch, tomorrow I will get a notice.....LMAO  :D

Edit to add: Anyone know if a convicted felon can serve on a jury?

I'm 61 and I have never been called. I believe that around here they pick juries from drivers licenses.......must be....

Charlie

Dear Clusterville:

I can only speak about Franklin County Ohio, but...

The jury pool is called based upon registered voters.  Yep, I am one.  It seems to be a random "seeding" into the pool, some people who are in the pool have only lived here for a year or so, others have lived here all their lives and only been called once.

Regarding a convicted felon, if they're allowed to register to vote, (not sure, but I believe so), they would get called in my county.  During the "voir dire" process (interviewing the potential jurors for a given case) it would come out that they were a felon and be "excused"....

There is a former narcotics lieutenant that I've become friendly with in the jury pool.  They keep "excusing" him as well.

Even though I've yet to hear a "real case", it has been an excellent lesson in civics.  I hope to hear how the verdict of the rape case comes out tomorrow as the jury is in deliberations....

Ray

Hello Clusterville:

Odds are today will be my last day of jury duty.  With each passing minute, the odds are increasing that they won't call me again as a prospective juror.  Most of the time, people who are on their 2nd week here are dismissed right after lunch time on Thursday, unless they are already in a jury.  

Wishing you all well,

Ray

Just remember Ray, with all of the guilty people running around, why would we even bother arresting the innocent ones? ;D Too bad you didn't get seated on a jury, I've heard it can be quite the experience.

Guiseppi

(who is exempt from jury duty cuz they think I can't be unbiased!)

No longer an angry man then?   START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGESTART PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Charlie

Jury duty is over, I never did get seated on a jury.  If I am called to do this again within 2 years, I have a get out of jury free card!  Thanks for following along and have a nice day!

Ray